Chapter 10 - Private Intensity

Second and third hour were as awkward as ever. Paulina didn't dare make eye contact with Star - not after everything she'd done. On top of their most recent fight, the raven haired teen jumped every time the speakers in the classrooms came on, silently hoping it wasn't an administrator calling her to the office. If it was, that meant Star had already told someone about her injured knee, which meant she'd have to talk to someone about it. That thought sent Paulina into a temporary panic, but she managed to calm herself throughout class.

By the time lunch finally rolled around, Paulina was exhausted from everything that morning, and from staying up so late crying the night before. She couldn't bring herself to recall the details of that night. It hadn't even been the worst one, but still, the details were too much for her to delve into - especially at school. Star and Paulina sat next to one another, not saying a word, while Dash and Kwan flirted shamelessly. Eventually, Sam and Tucker walked over, lunch trays in hand. Sitting down, they began to murmur to one another.

"We get it, you two have secrets," Star grumbled, the bags under her eyes more evident.

Sam and Tucker looked up at the blonde, perplexed looks on each of their faces. "We were just...talking," Sam told Star carefully.

"Well, why don't you just talk with Paulina, hmm? Because you three must talk a lot, right?" Star asked critically, avoiding eye contact with Paulina.

"Well—"

"Star, knock it off," Paulina interrupted Sam, who looked like she was ready to start an all out war with the blonde.

A cold laugh fell from Star's lips. "Of course you take their side. After everything—" Star choked up at that point, still not meeting Paulina's eyes. "After everything, you choose them."

"I'm not choosing anyone!" Paulina nearly yelled it, accidentally grabbing the attention of Dash and Kwan. "I'm just...we're just..."

"I get it, really. I've gotta go," Star pulled her bag onto her shoulder, storming out of the cafeteria. Paulina started to get up, only to stopped by Sam, who pulled on her uninjured wrist.

"Let go, freak!" Paulina growled, trying unsuccessfully to pull herself away.

"Paulina, we need to talk," Sam urged, standing up with her hand around the taller girl's wrist. She dragged her into a secluded corner of the cafeteria, cornering her.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Paulina snarled, her emotions peaking.

"Look, something is going on between you two, and you can't tell her anything!" Sam hissed the response, leaning towards Paulina defensively.

"I wasn't going to!"

"Well, it sure looked like it. Besides, I'm sure Danny's secret would be able to fix whatever fight you two are having right now."

"We're fighting about Danny's secret," Paulina sighed, crossing her arms and staring intently at Sam. "She's mad because I'm keeping secrets. Happy?"

Sam took a step back, her face falling from anger to confusion. "You mean she's suspicious?"

"Well, she knows something's going on," Paulina huffed. "She's, like, really smart and stuff."

"Really?"

"Yes, she is," Paulina took a small step forward, suddenly defensive of her friend. "She knew something was up on Friday when I found out, but I kept Danny's secret."

Sam nodded, biting her lip nervously. "Ok. Good."

"Good," Paulina sighed. "Are we done here?"

"Not yet," Sam's expression shifted to one of concern. "Um, this morning I saw you and Star. At first I thought you were just talking, but you were...crying..." Sam glanced down at Paulina's left knee. The popular girl's face flushed, suddenly realizing how observant the goth girl was.

"It's nothing," Paulina hissed, trying to push past Sam, but failing due to the girl's stubborn attitude.

"What is it? What's going on?" Sam asked quietly.

"Oh, you think I'd tell you?" Paulina snorted. "Even if something was going on, why the hell would I trust you? All you've done since yesterday is glare at me and tell me how stupid I am. Whatever you saw is none of your damn business."

"Paulina, I think you need help," Sam sighed, avoiding eye contact with the taller girl. Immediately, Paulina's expression hardened, her hands beginning to shake.

"I need help? Really? You've got a half dead friend and you've never taken him to the hospital! Now he's missing, and nobody's doing a thing about it. On top of it all, you have feelings for him, but you're too damn scared to do anything about it. So, is it me who needs help, or you, goth freak?" Paulina snarled this all. She looked intently into Sam's eyes, silently daring her to say something else.

With a sigh, Sam shook her head. "Wow, you're one to talk."

"What the hell does that mean?" Paulina snapped back.

"Oh, so you and Star are really just friends?"

"Of course! What are you getting at?"

"It just seems like there may be something else there—"

"Shut up," Paulina stomped her foot, causing Sam to jump back a bit. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about. Star and I go way back, that's all there is to it!"

Sam collected herself, taking a deep breath before glaring at Paulina. "Fine. Whatever. I was just worried."

With that, Sam stormed back to the a-lister table, grabbing her things and dragging Tucker behind her out of the cafeteria.

Hey guys - I'm back with a new chapter! This one is...average length compared to my other chapters, I think? The next two are gonna be longer (you'll see why soon!)

Anyways, thanks for everyone who reads, favorites, and follows - and an extra special thanks to everyone who reviews!!

Until next time,

~Ash